Hi! It’s me, Brandy Wine. Over the years, I’ve opened and closed five studios (six if you count my garage, where dreams and questionable decisions were born). From a historic downtown bank to a colonial mansion, I’ve been everywhere—and burned out everywhere, too. I took a hiatus after burning myself out by not managing my bookings properly, which resulted in no days off and pure exhaustion. Even the local newspaper did a cover on me closing the studio doors. A true Hollywood ending, if Hollywood were set in the fiery pits of overcommitment.

But I couldn’t stay away. Like a moth to the flame– I booked airbnb’s on occasion to feed my passion for photographing women.

My work evolved from pin-ups to boudoir. After some serious soul-searching and deep consideration, I decided to give the studio life another shot-this time with boundaries.  Who knew saying “no” could be so revolutionary?

Enter: The House of Boudoir, my not-so-humble abode of warm ambience, vintage vibes, and lingering ghosts of poor life choices. When I started searching for the perfect spot, I had one non-negotiable: it had to be a historic home. The house was built in the early 1900’s and holds a lot of history which I’m so very interested in. It’s nestled in historic downtown Shelby, North Carolina which is right between Asheville and Charlotte. The house was a blank white canvas which with the help of my wonderful man, my make-up artist who put together the salon room, and a few friends, we painted almost every wall. Many coats of black!

Being a serial hobbyist, one of my favorite hobbies is design, specifically vintage or vintage inspired. After some sweat equity, fights with wallpaper, sleeping on a mattress on the floor, perfectly selecting and hauling heavy, unique pieces of furniture, the vision came alive.  The house has 5 shoot rooms, a salon room, a very large lingerie closet, waiting area and two restrooms.

I didn’t have to think twice about the themes for the five rooms. I wanted a combination of everything I love while maintaining a uniqueness for each room.  What’s my favorite room? The client lingerie closet! I’ve had a love affair with lingerie for as long as I can remember, I’m talking since I was a teenager. I would pick up vintage lingerie pieces while thrifting and play dress-up. I’m not going to mention here on my public website that my I would even dress my now combat veteran brother in lingerie, wigs and all. It built character.

I even got in trouble for wearing a vintage slip as a dress to school. I mean, with the combat boots and fur coat- Iconic grunge, really.  So, my obsession of collecting lingerie of all sizes has never stopped. Worried that I won’t have something to fit you? Woman, please. Take a look. I got you covered. Well, barely. *awkward wink*